White Water Festival
June 18 - 21, 2026
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DUCKIE CROSS
The FIBArk Whitewater Festival would like to announce the Duckie Cross. This new FIBArk event is designed with this year's unique river flows in mind. There will be a small group start of racers that will sprint through the Salida Whitewater Park, navigating surf waves, and fighting for gate position. The racer who makes it to the F Street Bridge will be deemed the winner. If there are multiple heats, it’s possible you will be racing more than once. Teams of 1 or 2 are welcome. Friday, 6/19 @ 4:00 PM, Salida Whitewater Park
CATEGORIES
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Teams of 1
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Teams of 2
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
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Mandatory Equipment includes:
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Coast Guard /ISO approved PFD
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Helmet
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Protective footwear
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Athletes must always wear their competitor bib outside their PFD.
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Bibs will be collected at the end of the race.
rules& regulations
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Athletes must arrive 45 minutes before the race starts to check in, pick up their competition bib, sign the waiver, walk to the put-in, and attend the race safety meeting.
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Athletes will be placed in ‘race heats’ of no more than three to four Duckies
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Final number of heats will be determined on the day of the race in accordance with the total number of athletes registered for the race.
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The race will begin with either a ground start format.
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Event organizers and whitewater rescue teams are not responsible for equipment rescue and/or equipment removal from the FIBArk Whitewater Festival whitewater courses should athletes lose their equipment during practice or competition.
format
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Final race rules and format will be available during the safety meeting.
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Rafters will have to navigate around no less than two 2 upstream or downstream gates.
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Both team members must be in the boat and get around the gate.
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Any intentional contact with the gate will result in a penalty or disqualification.
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A raft’s finish will be official when the entire raft crosses the finish line.
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Both hands must remain on the paddle at all times.
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Competitors may NOT throw their paddle to finish the line.
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No intentional grabbing, shoving, hitting or horseplay will be allowed. Unsporting conduct may result in disqualification.
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Top finishers will advance to the next round. Number of racers advancing in each round will be determined on race day. Rounds will continue until a winner is determined.
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Bumping other rafts is allowed. Kayakers may steer a raft off their line.